UNLV hires Dan Mullen as head coach

UNLV hired former Florida head coach Dan Mullen to the same post on Thursday.

Mullen replaces Barry Odom, who spent the past two seasons with the Rebels before taking the head coach position at Purdue over the weekend.

“I am very excited to be a part of the UNLV family,” Mullen said in a statement. “These past two years, a foundation has been set to compete for championships, including being just one game away from making the College Football Playoff, which is a great testament to where we plan on continuing to be.

“My expectation is to keep that excitement and momentum alive and produce a team for the University, the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada that is going to compete for championships on a regular basis.”

UNLV president Keith E. Whitfield added in a statement, “Dan Mullen is an experienced and proven winner as a head coach at the highest levels of college football. I’m confident that he’ll build on the strong momentum that Rebel football experienced the past two years and lead our program to even greater heights in the years to come.”

Mullen, 52, posted a 103-61 record during his time as head coach with Mississippi State (2009-17) and the Gators (2018-21). He was 29-9 during his first three seasons with Florida before mustering a 5-6 mark in his final year in Gainesville.

Mullen has spent his time away from the sideline by working as a college football analyst and color commentator for ESPN/ABC.

Odom compiled a 19-8 record in two seasons with the Rebels. He guided the team to consecutive Mountain West championship game appearances, including a 21-7 loss to Boise State on Dec. 6. The Rebels (10-3) will play in the LA Bowl against Cal on Wednesday.